Backyard Birding Setup: Feeders, Squirrel Defense, Hummingbirds

A thoughtful backyard feeder station turns a quiet retirement yard into a daily show. The National Audubon Society publishes a feeder-style guide at audubon.org that recommends four feeder types for a complete setup: a tube feeder for finches, a hopper feeder for cardinals and jays, a platform or tray feeder for ground feeders such as juncos and doves, and a hummingbird nectar feeder for warm months. With one of each, a retiree attracts 20 to 30 species in most US zip codes within a single season. Total cost for the four feeders, the poles, and the first 25 pounds of seed runs between 150 and 200 dollars.

The tube feeder holds black oil sunflower seed or Nyjer thistle seed. Black oil sunflower has the widest appeal and attracts chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, house finches, and downy woodpeckers. Nyjer is the small black seed that brings goldfinches, pine siskins, and redpolls. A 24-inch tube with six perches is the standard size. Brands such as Droll Yankees, Aspects, and Perky-Pet sell tube feeders between 30 and 45 dollars. Look for a model with metal perches and a removable bottom for cleaning. Plastic perches crack within two seasons in cold climates.

The hopper feeder is the wooden barn-shaped feeder pictured in most backyard photographs. The hopper holds 2 to 4 pounds of seed and serves a broader mix: cardinals, jays, grackles, larger sparrows, and sometimes rose-breasted grosbeaks during spring migration. Fill the hopper with a sunflower-and-safflower mix to keep larger birds and squirrels in check. Wild Birds Unlimited stores sell solid cedar hopper feeders in the 40 to 70 dollar range with lifetime warranties.

The platform feeder, also called a tray or fly-through feeder, is the most overlooked piece in a backyard setup. Many ground-feeding species, including dark-eyed juncos, mourning doves, white-throated sparrows, and northern cardinals, prefer to feed on a flat surface rather than cling to a tube. A simple platform feeder costs 25 to 40 dollars and mounts on a pole or hangs from a deck rail. Spread a mix of cracked corn, millet, and sunflower chips. Clean the platform every two days to prevent mold.

The hummingbird feeder runs from late April through October in most of the Lower 48. Use a simple glass or plastic feeder with red plastic parts, fill with a 4-to-1 water-to-sugar solution boiled and cooled, and skip the red food dye. Clean the feeder every three to five days in hot weather. Squirrel-proofing the rest of the station is a separate problem solved by a baffle-equipped pole. Brome Industries Squirrel Buster feeders, Wild Birds Unlimited Advanced Pole Systems, and Audubon-recommended Yankee Flipper models keep squirrels off the seed. Sources include audubon.org, allaboutbirds.org, the Wild Birds Unlimited site at wbu.com, and nwf.org/birds.